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| Friday Oct 23, 2026 |
BUTTERFIELD BERMUDA CHAMPIONSHIP NOTEBOOK
➡️ PGA Tour rookie Chandler Blanchet fired a career-low 9-under 62 to take the solo first-round lead at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. Playing in the day's penultimate group, Blanchet carded two eagles on Nos. 17 and 7 and played the course's three par-5s in 5-under par. Making his 29th career start, Blanchet holds a opening-round lead for the second time on Tour after previously finishing runner-up at the 2026 Puerto Rico Open.
➡️ A dense four-way tie for second place sits just one shot back at 8-under 63, headlined by Ben Kohles, who recorded a career-best 11 birdies — including six consecutive on holes five through 10.
➡️ Hawaii native Kihei Akina (T20) led the eight amateurs in the field after carding an opening 5-under 66. Akina continues his push toward earning a PGA Tour card through the PGA Tour University Accelerated program. ... Monday qualifier Austin Lemieux, son of NHL legend Mario Lemieux, shot a 1-over 72 (T106) in his PGA Tour debut. ... Local Bermudian entries Camiko Smith (T94, Even) and Nick Jones (T106, 1-over) remain in search of becoming the first local player to make the weekend cut.
POLL OF THE WEEK
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Last week: Has LIV Golf brought about change that benefitted professional golf? | Results
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Last week: When the dust settles on LIV Golf, what impact will the upstart tour have had on professional golf? | Read
Toptracer: Partners with Cover the Tees to unveil its first indoor range at Golf Galaxy in San Antonio, Texas. ... International Network of Golf: Appoints Turtleson as its official apparel partner.
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RELATED: The First Call / PR Newswire feed
➡️ After a ‘massive’ stroke ended this Navy vet’s golf dreams, 2 guardian angels stepped in to help
James Colgan | Golf.com | Read
➡️ East Potomac FAQs: What's happening, what's next, and who will pay?
Garrett Morrison | Fried Egg Golf | Read
➡️ Scottie Scheffler is leaving millions on the table. He has his reasons
Brody Miller | The Athletic | Read
➡️ What President Trump’s golf course plan takes away from D.C. residents
Marco Hernandez / Anushka Patil | New York Times | Read
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The custom furniture maker brings iconic holes and courses to life through Noble Tree Golf, crafting detailed 3D wooden art and tables for clubs and collectors
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NOVEMBER
8-11: International Association of Golf Administrators Annual Conference | Info
9-11: Golf Business Network Leadership Summit, Pinehurst, North Carolina | Info
JANUARY
26: AGM Retail Conference, Orlando, Florida | Info
26-29: PGA Show, Orlando, Florida | Info
To submit events for the calendar, please include the event name, date, location and informational link to info@firstcallgolf.com.
